Technical Update, XF Triggering via Profoto Air

Phase One’s recent major firmware update for the XF camera brought some really interesting functions to the XF camera system, not least of which was the ability to use the XF’s internal Profoto Transceiver to receive a signal from a Profoto Air Remote and wirelessly trigger the camera.

Just like that, it was possible to wirelessly fire the camera body with an inexpensive remote that many photographers using Profoto equipment already owned. The ability to provide features like this via a simple firmware update should not be understated.

Now that this function has been around for several weeks, we’ve noticed that not all Profoto remotes are created equal when it comes to triggering the XF body.

Through testing, we’ve determined that the best way to trigger the XF body via Profoto wireless signal is to use a Profoto Air Remote or Profoto Air Sync, and to avoid using dedicated Profoto Air TTL Remotes. At least for the time being, Profoto TTL remotes are unreliable for triggering the XF body.

If you don’t currently have a Profoto Air Remote or Air Sync, you can still trigger your camera wirelessly! As long as you have an IQ3 series digital back, you can connect your digital back remotely to Capture Pilot; an app for iOS devices. View it in the app store here.

With Capture Pilot tethered wirelessly to your IQ3 series digital back you can see all images that are currently on the camera’s CF card, control the XF’s settings, view a histogram, rate and color tag images, as well as view a live view feed in real time! Not to mention trigger the camera!

If you don’t have an iOS device, or a Profoto Trigger, there are yet other ways to trigger your XF system remotely, though the above solutions are by far the simplest.

If you’re interested in purchasing an Air Sync or Air Remote for triggering your XF (or…you know, Profoto Strobes) we have some available!